Hi guys

 

Went out to my car tonight to find all the trim around the ignition smashed and the ignition barrel looking like someone has jabbed a screwdriver into it. I'm pretty pissed off, good thing the immobilizer works. Car was locked, looked like something has pulled the drivers side door handle out.

 

Anyway I was wondering if anyone knows how I can start my car up? I can't get the key to turn in the ignition and the steering lock seems stuck on. I really want to move the car away from where it is.

 

Any advice will be really appreciated

 

John

hot wire it? although i dont think this will release the steering lock.

do you have breakdown cover? they should be able to come out and get the barrel cleaned up and started so you can move it.

 

I wouldnt bother "hotwiring" it as it will give you more work to do later when repairing it. there are a few breakers on the forum, im sure someone will have a key and barrel they are willing to sell you.

My breakdown cover wouldn't sort it I think. Its the steering lock that's gonna cause me problems I think. I'm so gutted, feels horrible that someone would mess with my car

 

John

My breakdown cover wouldn't sort it I think. Its the steering lock that's gonna cause me problems I think. I'm so gutted, feels horrible that someone would mess with my car

 

John

 

Not sure what you can do about that bud, apart from remove the barrel at some point.

Sorry to hear it John :(

 

I'm breaking my Z so can sort you out a lockset and steering column shroud if you want them.

 

My breakdown cover wouldn't sort it I think. Its the steering lock that's gonna cause me problems I think

Its quite simple (but fiddly) to get the whole lock/barrel off the column. Then the wheel will turn.

Unscrew any screws with heads on. The shear screws are... well sheared!!. So you need a dot punch and a hammer (plus patience) to "tap" them round till they are loose.

As Baz has said a replacement barrel and key from a breaker is easy.

I probably have one on its own if you dont want the extra job of changing all the locks

Sorry to hear this John :( Loads of absolute scum bags about unfortunately. Hope you get it all sorted buddy

Cheers for the info guys, especially Slick Pete. I'm gonna take a look at removing the barrel tomorrow and see if I can sort it.

 

I'll check back and let you know what's going on.

 

John

 

I'm breaking my Z so can sort you out a lockset and steering column shroud if you want them.

 

 

Sorry, for a second there I thought you said that you were breaking your zed....surely not that one ^^^^ in your sig mate?

Your breakdown cover should be able to recover, my mate was in a similar situation last year he called up and a recovery truck was sent out to him.

if your worried they might come back and try again id suggest you remove the fuel pump relay in the engine bay, (its in the small box on the drivers side near the firewall)

 

ill stop the engine firing even if they hot-wired it.

Cheers for the info guys, especially Slick Pete. I'm gonna take a look at removing the barrel tomorrow and see if I can sort it.

 

I'll check back and let you know what's going on.

 

John

Im around if you need a "help line" 07778 411568.

drilling a little dimple on the top of the shear screw heads lets you tap it round easier.

Well after a couple of hours of work I managed to get the ignition barrel out. We removed the shear bolts in the end by drilling a hole into the end of them, and then hammering a screwdriver into it. Still took a huge amount of force to remove.

 

The reason of this became clear once I had got it off. The entire cast metal case for the ignition barrel was twisted and even the steering lock rod was bent. Someone must have really hammered at it to warp it as much as they did.

 

Anyway I've ordered a replacement ignition barrel and I'm hoping I can swap the section with the tumbler over so I can keep my old key. I'll have to wait and see.

 

Cheers

John

Well I've fitted a new ignition barrel, and the car now starts okay. I've lost a lot of skin off my hands rummaging around under the dash though!

 

Couple of problems still exist though. One is the 'Door Open' light stays on until I turn the headlights on, which seems strange. It may be something to do with the damage to the door handle though.

 

The other problem is that I can't get it to shift out of park at the moment. Pressing the break down is meant to unlock the shifter but it isn't. I can put the car into drive by pressing the little red unlock bar down, but obviously this isn't ideal.

 

Any thought?

 

John